There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. And while the media tends to focus on just a handful of schools, we at College Coach encourage students to think outside the box during their college selection process and explore a wide range of colleges. As such, we are highlighting a new college each week in our School Spotlight series. Check out the college below, along with the other posts in our series, and you may just stumble upon your dream school!

When we ask students to identify in which states they’d consider attending college, Hawai’i often makes the list. And why not? The University of Hawai’i Mãnoa offers the ideal combination of top academics, a diverse student body, and a fantastic location. Situated in the Mãnoa Valley on the island of O’ahu, UH Mãnoa enrolls 14,000 undergraduates, over 20 percent of whom are from out-of-state. Known for producing cutting-edge research in the fields of oceanography, astronomy, and linguistics, the University also offers unique majors in ethnobotany, Hawaiian studies, peace studies, and zoology. The College of Education, one of the University’s 18 schools and colleges, recently unveiled two new net-zero classrooms that will generate more energy than they consume. The President’s Green Initiative Award is another major environmentally-friendly program on campus, whereby students compete to earn up to $10,000 for developing a sustainable project to be implemented on campus. Students who live in the western U.S. can attend UH Mãnoa at a significant tuition discount, thanks to the Western Undergraduate Exchange. But all students can take advantage of adventurous outdoor education classes, like surfing, kayaking, and sailing, through Student Recreation Services.

Elyse Krantz is a member of College Coach’s team of college admissions experts. Elyse received her BA in linguistics from Dartmouth College and her MA from Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to joining College Coach, Elyse worked as an admissions officer at Barnard College and Bennington College.

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The Insider: College Admissions Advice from the Experts is where College Coach experts weigh in on the latest college admissions topics. We cover everything from application timelines and strategies to tips on financing your child's education.